Portable ironing equipment



Dec. 16, 1969 F. J. MICHALSKI PORTABLE IRONING EQUIPMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 13, 1967 y I ll till W Wiiiik m T N E V m Dec. 16, 1969 v F. J. MlCHALSKI 3,

PORTABLE IRONING EQUIPMENT Filed June 13, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Q mum INVENTOR. flaw/r J May 44510.

3,483,954 PORTABLE IRDNIN G EQUIPMENT Frank J. Michalski, West Palm Beach, Fla., assignor of one-half to Frederick Danielski, Riviera Beach, Fla. Filed June 13, 1967, Ser. No. 645,732 Int. 'Cl. A45c 15/00; A4711 3/087; D06f 81/02 US. Cl. 19042 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention is primarily directed to a small portable ironing board formed of two rectangular members and a terminal triangular member pivotally connected together by opposed hinges, so that the board will fold fiat for storage and transportation; and, when open the adjacent edges of the pivoted members abut to form a flat smooth ironing surface. Foldable legs are pivotally connected with the three unit members of the ironing board to provide a rigid support therefor. A pad is stitched to a suitable cover to provide a unitary pad and cover for the board. A relatively thin lightweight carrying case has two compartments, one to receive the ironing board in folded position and the other adapted to receive an iron, which compartment is provided with a thermal insulating material; and, a retaining member is provided in the lid of the case to hold the unitary ironing board cover and pad.

This invention relates to portable ironing equipment, and more particularly is directed to foldable ironing boards, unitary pad and cover, together with, irons, and carrying cases fitted for these units.

An object of this invention is to provide a foldable ironing board that will be simple and economical in construction and efficient and durable in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ironing board of the class described which is in pivotally connected sections, foldable in opposite direction to provide a compact unit for storage, and be rigid and durable in use.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ironing board of the class described with pivotal legs, which are rigid and sturdy.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ironing board of the class described with a pad and cover secured together.

Another object of this invention is to provide an ironing board and cover of the class described, together with a carrying case compartmented to receive the board, cover and an electric iron.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from the following specifications, taken in conjunction with the drawings, forming a part thereof wherein:

FIG. 1 is an angular view of the carrying case open with the ironing board, iron and padded cover positioned therein;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross sectional view of the carrying case taken along the compartment edges with the case in closed position with the ironing board, iron and padded cover therein;

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional fragmentary view showing the construction of the compartment divider providing a cavity for the iron portion and the iron board portion;

FIG. 4 is an angular view of the ironing board in open position, with cover thereon, and a portion of the ironing board cut and shown in cross section to show its construction;

FIG. 5 is a transverse cross sectional view of the ironing board with cover thereon showing construction;

nited States Patent 0 M 3,483,954 Patented Dec. 16, 1969 FIG. 6 is an angular view of the ironing board pad and cover partially folded, parts shown in cross section to illustrate construction;

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a fragment of the ironing board showing the threaded means of connecting the legs to the board frame; and,

FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the ironing board in open position showing the pivotal legs, leg braces and inside hinges of the pivotally connected rectangular members of the board.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like members are given the same reference numeral, a conventional light weight traveling case having a bottom 1, a lid 2, hinge 3 connecting these members and hinged braces 4 for holding the members in open position, locks 6 and handle 7 together with lid straps 8, an interlocking channel member 9 on the case and tongue member 10 cooperating with the channel member 9 to provide a seal between the lid and case, are of the usual conventional construction.

The carrying case is modified to provide cavity compartments for receiving the folding members. A bottom tray 12, preferably of laminated construction, having a core 13, decorative covering 14, and rigid backing is provided of a size to press fit into the case. Cavity compartments are provided with spacers 17, and preferably a core material 19 and covering 14 which are secured to the bottom member 12 by a brad 20 extending through the bottom backing member 15 and spacer covering 14. These spacer members 17 define a rectangular shaped cavity to receive the ironing board snugly therein when the ironing board 24 is folded and inserted therein. They also define a cavity 23 to receive an iron 25, which cavity 23 is preferably provided with an asbestos base 26 upon which an ironing board stand and heat dissipater 27 such as metal, is provided.

The lid strap 8 holds the ironing board cover 29 in the lid.

The ironing board 24 comprises two rectangular members 30 and 31 which are pivotally connected on the underside by a pair of inside hinges 32 secured to the peripheral frame 34 for each of these members. A terminal substantially triangular member 36 has a width at its base the same as the rectangular member 31 and a length equivalent to the lengths of each of the rectangular members 30 and 31. The rectangular member 36 is connected to the adjacent rectangular member 31 by means of a pair of fiush hinges 37, which have the flanges therefore recessed into the frame 34 of the adjacent members 31 and 36, and may, if desired, have the circular hinge eyes and hinge pin also recessed in the frame.

The frame 34 of the board members is preferably covered with a plastic laminate 39 to provide a smooth surface.

Each of the rectangular members 30 and 31 have leg members, similar in construction, pivotally connected to opposed ends of the frames 34 of these rectangular members. These legs comprise an elongated rod 40 having a pair of coplanar legs 41 secured thereto and braced with a cross leg 42. Each end of the rod 40 is threaded and inserted in a threaded sleeve 44 provided in the frame 34 which sleeve receives an internally and externally threaded nut 45 to threadedly engage the sleeve 44 and threaded end of the rod 40 to securely mount each end of the leg assembly to the frame 34. The legs are provided with conventional hinged braces 46 pivotally connected in the middle and having appropriate abutting members so that when the legs are opened in a parallel plane they lock. These pivotal leg braces are well known and conventional.

The triangular member 36 of the ironing board is provided with a single leg 41 pivotally connected to a bracket 47, and is provided with a pivotal leg brace 46.

The unitary ironing board and cover comprises a conventional heavy cloth cover 50 fitted to the contour of the board and having depending portions 51 with elastic inserts 52, and a foam rubber pad 53 of a size conforming to the top of the ironing board and secured to the cover 50 by stitching 54.

In construction, the three ironing board frames have the leg rods 40 secured therein, recesses provided for the recessed hinges 37, and then covered with the plastic laminate 39, preferably on the sides and bottom of the frame 34 as well as across the top which forms the ironing surface. The cover is simple to construct, but it is sometimes desirable to use conventional binding tape alone or with upholsterers cord along the periphery of the board to secure the foam pad to the cover. The cavity tray to hold the iron and folded board starts with the backing member conforming to the inside measurements of the case, spacer members 17 and core 19 conforming to the cavity size, insulator, dissipater, and covering being superimposed and bradded together.

In folded position, due to the positioning of the hinges between the ironing board members, the inside hinges 32 permits the rectangular members and 31 to abut on their bottom sides, the legs being pivoted inside the plane to frame 34; and, the insert hinges 37, permits the triangular member 36 and adjacent rectangular member 31 to abut on their top sides.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, said rectangular and triangular members, forming a frame, a laminated plastic overlay secured to said frame, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members and pivotally connecting said rectangular members, hinge members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members.

2. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members, hinged members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members, said pair of rectangular members are provided at the opposed ends with pivotal legs comprising a pair of cross braced legs, and threaded means securing said legs to said rectangular members, and a pivotal leg secured to said triangular member.

3. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members, hinged members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members, in combination with a tray, a cavity in said tray of a size to receive the ironing board in folding position, another cavity in said tray to receive a traveling electric iron, a thermal insulating member for said second cavity, and a heat dissipating member on said terminal insulating member.

4. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members, hinged members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members, in combination with a tray, a cavity 1n said tray of a size to receive the ironing board in folding position, and another cavity in said tray to receive a traveling electric iron.

5. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members, hinged members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members, in combination with a carrying cise comprising a bottom compartment and a lid, hinged members pivotally connecting said bottom and lid, and a tray, a cavity in said tray of a size to receive the ironing board in folding position, another cavity in said tray to receive a traveling electric iron, a thermal insulating member for said second cavity, a heat dissipating member on said thermal insulating member, and retaining straps connected to said lid for retaining a unitary pad and cover therein.

6. A folding ironing board comprising a pair of substantially rectangular members, a substantially triangular terminal member, hinged members positioned on the bottom sides of said rectangular members, hinged members pivotally connecting the said substantially triangular member with the adjacent rectangular member and positioned to pivot in a direction opposite from said first mentioned hinged members, in combination with a carrying case comprising a bottom compartment and a lid, hinged members pivotally connecting said bottom and lid, a tray, a cavity in said tray of a size to receive the ironing board in folding position, another cavity in said tray to receive a traveling electric iron.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,622,353 12/1952 Mendelson 38140 X 2,729,005 1/1956 Foster 38-139 2,950,552 8/1960 Stephany 38l39 3,148,467 9/1964 Kerr 38-140 3,326,337 6/1967 Bell 190l1 2,326,461 8/1943 Howe.

DONALD F. NORTON, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 

